TEMBO SACCO HELPED TURN OUR PASSION INTO A VIABLE BUSINESS
I am a member of Tembo SACCO, and I bought a plot, two private and one commercial vehicle, courtesy of proceeds from the SACCO loans. Little did I know then that Tembo SACCO would be with me, all the way….Milele.

My wife and I are both very passionate about providing high quality education, while molding young children to become of good character early in life as they build their careers. It was therefore almost natural and driven by the passion we easily identified a gap in quality education in Isiolo town for young children (of pre-school age).

We were prepared to start this immediately despite knowing that it was a risky and expensive venture, which most likely would demand use of our limited resources, with no guarantee of profits in the near future.

We started by renting some wooden building premises consisting of 3 rooms and a pit latrine. The premises, however was in a bad state of disrepair, and we spent a lot of money on refurbishment. On completing the repairs, we used one room as an office, the other as a store-cum-kitchen, and the third one as a classroom for baby class pupils. Another shocking reality hit us: despite all our efforts, by the third term of the first year (2015) we had only eight pupils, most of them being our close family friends’ children. It was a tough time financially, and as anticipated, we continued using our resources to support the running costs of the school. Through these tough times, Fountain Christian Academy (FCA) was established, and by the third year, we had expanded the rental premises to include 2 more classrooms, a separate kitchen and a store. In addition, by end of the third year, the enrolment had increased to 60 pupils (consisting of baby class, nursery and pre-unit). Our first graduation ceremony for the pre-unit pupils was a huge success and it gave the school unprecedented positive publicity.

However, there was big challenge triggered by a concern raised by nearly all parents of the graduating pupils. They said; ‘We thank you for the great foundation and quality education you have provided our children who have graduated today. Nevertheless, we are not sure where we will take them to proceed with their schooling in Standard 1. We do not know of any other local school that can match the quality of education at FCA. You have got to help us, and we request that you establish a primary school so we can bring our children there’.

This was the turning point. With no money to expand the school, we felt that we would be badly indebted to the parents if we did not act. By foresight, and having been a former KBL employee, I had already signed up as a member of Tembo SACCO, and had some good savings that helped me to qualify for a Jumbo loan. I applied for Jumbo loan, which was processed so efficiently! Now I had capital to buy land and start building the school, starting with the basic infrastructure.

Fast-forward: today FCA has 6 spacious classrooms, 3 offices, washrooms for pupils and teachers, playground equipment as well as a spacious kitchen and store. The school enrolment has increased to over 140 pupils (comprising of Play Group, PP1, PP2, and Grades 1-3). We plan to expand the school gradually by building an additional classroom each year, up to grade 6. Looking back from where I started my first job, and as I prepare for my journey from employment to self- reliance, and to becoming an employer, I truly see that Tembo SACCO has been, and will be with me, all the way, Milele…